An absurdist comedy about the strange games of earthly inhabitants from one of the brightest representatives of the new American cinema. Russian premiere as part of the contemporary programme of the Festival of Singular Films.
Eephus
- Date:
- 28 Sep 2024,
17:30–19:10
- Age restrictions
- 18+
2024, Carson Lund
United States–France
98 minutes, English with Russian subtitles, 18+
Starring: Cliff Blake, Keith William Richards, Stephen Radochia, Keith Poulson
T
The town authorities in Douglas, Massachusetts, plan to demolish a baseball field where local amateurs have played for generations. But before this happens, the last match must be played, when the two town teams will say farewell not just to the field, but to sport in general: the pot-bellied family men who like to combine baseball with beer don’t want to travel to any other nearby towns to play. The farewell turns into the longest match in the history of baseball, along with several personal breakdowns, a few invasions of the field—and an eephus: the word for a pitch that is so stupid it’s almost brilliant.
Shot from Eephus, 2024
At a time when so many films purport to tackle masculinity only to succumb to the tritest clichés, here’s one that dissects these men’s awkwardness about their emotions in a way that’s disarmingly sincere, but never soppy. As far as surprises go, Lund was one of Cannes’ most riveting.
— Leonardo Goi, Mubi Notebook
Fortunately, viewers do not require a knowledge of the rules of baseball, its mythology and terminology—on the contrary, this will weaken the impression. Carson Lund in his directorial debut emphasises the many absurd aspects of the game—and finds potential for farce worthy of Samuel Beckett in the national love of the game. The farewell by middle-aged townspeople to their favourite form of entertainment is felt as the last sigh of dying provincial America, ruled by toxic men and their laughable traditions.
Although this is Carson Lund’s directing debut, he is far from a novice in cinema. Cofounder of the independent group Omnes Films, he was the cameraman for Tyler Taormina’s films Ham on Rye and Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point (another 2024 hit at Cannes). As a director, Lund is no less expressive: his talent is eloquently illustrated by the fact that the “godfather” of Eephus is the legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, who provides the voiceover in his unique style.
The screening will begin with a brief speech by the curator in Russian. If you require interpretation into English, please request it at least three days in advance by emailing international@ges-2.org.
The film took part in the Golden Camera competition at the Cannes festival (2024).
